Stroke and Heart Disease

Stroke and Heart Disease

Every part of your body, including your heart and your brain, requires oxygen to work. Oxygen is carried in the blood. Blood vessels called arteries carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Both heart attack and stroke are due to problems in the arteries. The same factors that cause heart disease can make you more likely to have a stroke.

Heart Attack: A heart attack is caused by blockage in an artery that carries blood to the heart muscle. If blood is blocked, that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies.

Stroke: If an artery supplying the brain is blocked, a stroke may result. A stroke may also be caused by a piece of plaque breaking loose from an artery (such as a carotid artery in the neck) and lodging in the brain.

Both heart attack and stroke are medical emergencies that can lead to serious health problems. They can even be fatal.

Healthy Artery

A healthy artery is a tube with flexible walls and a smooth inner lining. Blood flows freely through it.

Unhealthy Artery

Artery problems start when the inner lining gets damaged. This is often due to risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure. These can make the artery walls stiff. Plaque, a fatty mix of cholesterol and other material, forms in the lining. This narrows the channel. Plaque can break, restricting blood flow further. It can also cause a blood clot to form. A blood clot may block the artery’s channel completely.

Reducing your Risk

The good news: Making changes that make your arteries healthier will help lower your risk for both heart attack and stroke. If you have heart disease, you may need to work on a few aspects of your lifestyle. But remember that the things that are good for your arteries, heart, and brain are also good for the rest of your body. Your doctor will help you find a plan that works for you. It will likely include:

Controlling risk factors (health problems and habits that raise your chances of a heart attack or stroke). Lose excess weight. If you smoke, quit. Lower your blood pressure and manage your cholesterol. If you have diabetes, keep it under control.

Eating healthier. Choose healthier fats and limit harmful ones. Replace high-sugar and high-fat foods with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Get the right amounts of the foods you need.

Becoming more active. Get out and walk. Build up to 30 minutes or more most days. Try to find other ways to be more physically active in your daily life.

Taking medications as prescribed. Take your medications as directed and keep track of them all. Don’t stop any without your doctor’s okay. Give each of your healthcare providers a list of all your medications.